simplify 101http://www.simplify101.com
more fun. more done.Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:44:59 +0000en-UShourly13 Organizing Rules You May Not Need to Followhttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/organizing-rules/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/organizing-rules/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 15:57:37 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=37045I often encounter people who feel guilty about not following familiar organizing rules. “I know I should be doing X,” they tell me. Or “I just need to stop doing Y.” But organizing is a personal […]

I often encounter people who feel guilty about not following familiar organizing rules. “I know I should be doing X,” they tell me. Or “I just need to stop doing Y.”

But organizing is a personal process. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s perfectly fine to adapt, challenge, or even break the rules if they don’t make sense for you. And some so-called rules are really myths. It can be liberating to realize you don’t need to follow those!

Here are three rules you’ve probably heard, along with some reasons to question them.

Avoid single-use items

I actually like this rule a lot, and often advise people to follow it. In general, it’s a good idea to seek out items that can do double (or triple or quadruple) duty, to save money, space, and time. The kitchen is a great place to apply this rule. You can save tons of room and make your cooking easier if you limit the number of pots or knives you keep on hand, for instance.

But some single-use items earn their keep. A coffee maker is a common example. It all depends on how you use your kitchen and what you like to cook. If you only serve coffee to guests, it might be better to put the coffee maker in storage. If you’re a gourmet cook, you probably do need a big variety of knives.

In my own kitchen, I recently made room for an expensive popover pan. Yes, I could bake popovers in a muffin tin. But I love my special pan, and the beautiful tall popovers it makes! That pan only does one thing, but it does it very well, and it gives me a lot of pleasure. So it’s welcome in my kitchen!

Get rid of it if you haven’t used it in a year

Let’s turn to the clothes closet for this rule. I like this advice too (although I might vary the time period). Still, there are times it doesn’t apply.

If you haven’t worn a T shirt or sweater in a year, I’d probably recommend that you donate it and enjoy the extra breathing room in your closet. But I wouldn’t necessarily advise you to get rid of formal wear or dressy shoes. They’re expensive. They’re often in classic styles that age well. So holding on to them till your next party or wedding can be a good idea.

I also keep my hiking clothes, even though I rarely use them, as well as a few running clothes I infrequently need. I know many people who keep outgrown baby clothes (and other items) because they’re planning to have more children in a couple of years.

Again, it’s a personal choice, and of course it depends on your available space. But sometimes it really is OK to hold on to things that you don’t use much.

Touch it once

For this one, let’s head to the office and consider paper. Often when I tell people that I’m an organizer, they mention their failure to follow this so-called rule. People feel sheepish or even flat-out guilty about this one. But “touch it once” (also sometimes called OHIO—“only handle it once”) is more of a myth than a useful rule.

It’s not the number of times you handle a piece of paper that matters, but whether you have a plan. Let’s say you open your mail, find a bill, put it in a to-do file or other container, pay the bill later, and then file or shred it. You’re touching that paper several times. But each touch has a purpose. Your system ensures that the bill gets paid. It works.

What you don’t want to do: throw that paper in a pile, then periodically rifle through—handling the paper again and again—without making a decision or taking any action. See the difference? In this case, those multiple touches have not moved you closer to your goal (a decision or action). That’s the kind of repeated handling you want to avoid.

As always, when you’re getting organized, you have to do what works for you. It’s good to know the rules, and most of the time, it’s good to follow them. But it’s also important to know when you can take your own route to organization.

I’d love to know: What organizing rules do you disagree with, ignore, or break? How have you adapted rules so that they work for you?

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/organizing-rules/feed/8Spring Cleaning Printable Bundlehttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/spring-cleaning-printable-bundle/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/spring-cleaning-printable-bundle/#commentsFri, 20 Feb 2015 13:00:47 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36947**This offer has now ended. I am super excited to be a contributor to this awesome spring cleaning printable bundle! You can check out all of the details about what’s included below. But first, in the […]

I am super excited to be a contributor to this awesome spring cleaning printable bundle! You can check out all of the details about what’s included below. But first, in the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate sales promotion. I get paid for my contribution to the bundle when you purchase the pack via links and buttons on my site. If you choose to purchase the bundle from me (on this page), please know how much I appreciate your support!

Spring is arriving & it’s time to open up the curtains and freshen up our homes. With the help of a brand new wildly popular printable bundle, you’ll be able to accomplish all of these spring cleaning tasks right along with us! Clean Mama & A Bowl Full of Lemons have partnered again with several creative & fabulous bloggers, to bring you everything you need to spring clean this year. From tons of cleaning recipes, checklists and outdoor cleaning tasks, to chore charts, closet purging & natural cleaning guides, you’ll be all set and ready to conquer those dust bunnies and overflowing closets. It’s all included in this one of a kind cleaning bundle. From February 20th to the 28th, you will have a chance to purchase this exclusive bundle. You don’t want to miss out on this 85% off sale. For only $20, it’s definitely a good thing.

What’s included in our Spring Cleaning Printable Bundle?

You will receive 9 printable pdf kits (169 pages) including a 9 session video series in this unique bundle sale – all for only $20. The digital files can be printed out & used to get your home in tip top shape for spring time (or anytime of the year).

The 2015 Spring Cleaning Printable Bundle is only $20. That’s an amazing 85% off the retail cost of the kits!

How long is the bundle for sale?

The bundle will be available from 8am EST on 2/20/14 through 11:00 pm EST on 2/28/14. There are no exceptions.

Details about each kit:

Listed below are the pictures, details, and links to the 9 exclusive kits within the Spring Cleaning Bundle Bundle. If you have any specific questions about a kit, please email the blog associated with the kit. For general Bundle questions, you can contact us at springcleaningbundle at gmail.com. Please look at the FAQ page before emailing with questions. All kits are pdf files and will be sent to you in a zip file, once payment has been made (instant download). All files are 8.5 x 11 inches unless stated in the description.

The Spring Cleaning Kit includes an organized set of checklists that take you room to room, so you can complete your spring cleaning one check at a time. You can also print out the cleaning caddy recipe cards & make your own cleaners, to save money!

Clean Mama’s Spring Cleaning Kit is the perfect solution for your spring cleaning, but you’ll probably want to use it year-round! This printable kit includes pages for your homekeeping binder or notebook and functional mini cleaning checklists sure get your home tidied up in a hurry. You’ll also find 5 essential cleaning recipes that you can print and trim to create a mini recipe book or use the full page version. A simple kids’ checklist page (with 3 mini checklists) is perfect to get the little ones involved too! The colors are Clean Mama aqua and black to coordinate seamlessly with a variety of planners, binders, and decor. You’ll love the simple and straight forward format and chic cleaning icons! Simply print off the pages and get ready to tackle a little bit every day and move forward to a clean and organized home. Spring Cleaning shouldn’t be difficult….use this essential kit to make it simplify your routine.

ONE MONTH OF SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST – want to tackle a little bit every day? This full page checklist is perfect and includes my proven process for getting the cleaning done in minutes/day over the course of a month.

MINI CLEANING RECIPE BOOK (2 Pages) – trim and assemble your own mini recipe book to keep on your cleaning caddy, print on cardstock and laminate for durability (as shown in images)

KIDS CLEANING CHECKLISTS (1 page/ 3 checklists) – want to get the kids involved? Print out the kids cleaning checklists and make a mini spring cleaning bucket and they’ll be cleaning right along with you!

Decision making can be challenging during the sorting and purging process of any organization project. This kit will provide you with tools to ease the pain and help you sort quickly, and the colors may even keep a smile on your face while you work! The kit provides a a room-by-room checklist, sorting labels, donation tracker, donation resources and references along with a checklist of questions to ask yourself throughout the process. With these printables, you will be well on your way to a clutter free home!

The Outdoor Cleaning Kit has everything you need to get the outside of your home looking just as good as the inside! It comes with six colorful PDF printables including checklists to keep you on track and easy to follow DIY outdoor cleaning recipes. Up your curb appeal this season and transform your outdoor spaces into a beautiful retreat!

Organize your entire family with this chore chart kit. Designed for children, teens, and adults, you have several options to suit your needs. Parent/adult/teen charts have four columns for each day of the week. Organize chores, meals, calls, things to buy, school, sports, and much more. Print out a new schedule each week or laminate and use repeatedly. Use a wet erase marker and wipe clean each week. The kids’ chore charts include matching sheets of “sticker” designs. Print out on sticker paper and use a 1” circle punch to make your own stickers. Or, laminate the whole page, punch out the designs with your 1” circle punch and use sticky tack to use again and again. Alternatively, the charts can be laminated and checked daily with a wet erase marker.

The Organizing Homelife Chore Chart Kit Includes:

A weekly chore chart for moms/adults – 1 in black and white and 1 in color

SIMPLIFY YOUR CLOSET is a 9 session video course (90 minutes) designed to help you PLAN your ideal wardrobe, STREAMLINE your current closet, and CREATE outfits that fit you and your lifestyle. Instructions for accessing the video course will be given in the PDF file included in the bundle. This file includes a direct link to sign up for the online course, which must take place by March 15th.

At simplify 101 we believe life is more fulfilling (and fun!) when youíre organized in a way that’s just right for you. We offer online classes that make getting organized easy and affordable. They’re designed to help you create customized organizing systems that cut clutter and reduce stress, giving you more time for what matters most to you.

The How to Organize Your Closet printable pack includes:

Everything you need to transform your closet from chaotic and cluttered to functional and fabulous.

Disclaimer: The printable bundle does not include online class features such as MP3 audio files, access to the simplify 101 community forum, access to online class videos, or access to class materials on the simplify 101 website.

28 Days to Hope for Your Home, an e-book by Dana K White (“Nony” of A Slob Comes Clean) guides even the most overwhelmed homemaker through the development of four basic habits that will get (and keep) any home under control.

28 Days to Hope for Your Home includes:

28 days of specific instructions to help you develop four basic (but essential) home management habits.

If you have any questions or issues with your Spring Cleaning Bundle, please visit the FAQ page. Look over the questions and answers on the page BEFORE emailing. If you have not found your answer on the FAQ page, please email springcleaningbundle at gmail dot com. To ensure that your question is answered in a timely manner, please take care to email at the “Spring Cleaning Bundle” address (not our personal blog email address). Please note that due to high email volume, we will do our best to respond within 24 hours – thank you for your patience! When emailing, please include a copy of your Paypal receipt and highlight your issue in the “subject” line.

The Spring Cleaning Bundle is an exclusive sale & only available from 8 a.m. EST on February 20th to 11:00 p.m. EST on February 28th, 2015. There are no exceptions.

PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THE BUNDLE WITH ANYONE ELSE. It is intended solely for the person who purchased the bundle. Please be respectful of the authors’ copyrights.

After purchasing, you will automatically receive an email (to the email address you provide) containing the download link. Please check your spam or promotions folder, if you cannot find the email.

Please download and back up your Spring Cleaning Bundle AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE IT. You only have 5 download attempts to access your files. The download link expires on 3/15/15. After that date, we will not be able to provide new links to download. Please remember to back up your files. We are unable to send you copies of the printable bundle that have been deleted or lost. We will not respond to those emails.

Due to the digital nature of this sale, there will be no refunds & no exceptions.

If you have any questions or issues with a specific printable included in this bundle, please contact that author directly.

The bundle is provided as a zip file. Please read the download directions on the FAQ page, if you are unsure of how to download a zip file, BEFORE attempting.

Disclosure: This is an affiliate post. If you purchase a bundle from my link, I will receive a percentage of the sales. Thank you for your support!

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/spring-cleaning-printable-bundle/feed/0Seven Keys to Letting Go of Clutterhttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/letting-go-of-clutter/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/letting-go-of-clutter/#commentsThu, 12 Feb 2015 18:30:58 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=1300Do you crave the peace, calm and beauty greater organization would offer you? And yet, at the same time, dread the process of getting there? Here’s the good news: you’re not alone! For many, the mere […]

Do you crave the peace, calm and beauty greater organization would offer you? And yet, at the same time, dread the process of getting there? Here’s the good news: you’re not alone! For many, the mere thought of letting go creates an almost insurmountable obstacle for getting more organized. And yet … letting go of excess possessions like supplies, shoes, unused gifts, clothing with the price tags still attached, and incomplete projects, along with letting go of old habits and beliefs about organizing is key to creating a future filled with greater calm, control, and organizational bliss.

So how to do it? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The trick is to figure out what works for you. What will motivate you to overcome “letting-go inertia” and move forward to the peace, calm and beauty you crave? The answer may be just words away! First, let’s get into action write away—yep, that is the kind of write I mean. Go grab a piece of paper and a pen, or better yet, download a handy-dandy worksheet here. Then, come right back here to get yourself ready for some good ole “letting go.”

Connect with the finished result.

The more clearly you can describe to yourself the benefits of letting go, the easier it will be to make any tough decisions that come up during the process. Write down your answers to these simple questions:

Why do you want to change or get more organized?

What are you making space for?

How will your space look, feel and function when you’re finished?

Now, list in vivid detail the benefits you will realize when you are more organized.

Don’t forget to write down your answers in complete detail!

Call upon past successes.

Do you remember the last time you really dug deep and let go of unwanted and unneeded things? Close your eyes and think for a minute. How did it feel afterward? Did you feel lighter? Did you feel more positive? Did you feel calm and yet energized at the same time? Were you more able to relax? Did you feel more motivated to do things you really love to do?

Add everything that comes to mind—all those good and happy feelings—on your handy-dandy worksheet.

Prioritize.

Decide up front which possessions and activities are priorities in your life—before you ever step foot into the space to be organized.

Answer these questions on your worksheet:

Which belongings in your home are most important to you?

Which activities in your life do you want more time or space for?

Decide how much is enough.

We all have things we love to have plenty of. For some it’s tea. For others it’s t-shirts. For you it may be shoes, scrapbook supplies or purses. For me, it’s magazines. I just can’t seem to get enough! However, for everything you love to love, it’s important to strike a balance between too much and not enough. When you have too much of a good thing you may start to feel bad about the excess or you may even forget what you have. On the other end of the continuum is the point where you feel deprived. Where is your comfort zone on the continuum? How much is enough and how much is too much?

For example, before you step into your closet, set a goal. How many t-shirts is enough—ten, twenty or one-hundred? As long as you have the space for it and can find what you need and feel *good* about your answer—that’s what you strive for. Record your decisions on your worksheet.

Anticipate and remove your obstacles.

Before entering your space of excess—the place you want to whittle down a bit—think about which items will be easy to let go of and which will be a challenge. Add the challenging items to your worksheet along with the reason they’ll be difficult to let go of. The reasons are your obstacles. Now, let’s figure out some simple strategies for removing common obstacles.

Obstacle 1: I might need it someday.

Strategy: Decide when someday is.

Here’s how it works. You come across something and think “I might need this someday.” Ask yourself, “realistically, when will I need this?” If you can’t come up with a definite answer then assign an arbitrary date up to six months out in the future. Put the item in a box, write the date on the outside of the box, and move on. If the “someday” (the date on the box) comes and goes and you haven’t needed the item, you are now free to send it off to a happier place. Ah, doesn’t that feel good? What I’m describing here is the concept of an incubator. I used this concept when organizing kitchen utensils and even when I was decluttering some old car keys.

Obstacle 2: I paid good money for this.

Strategy: Accept that the money is spent.

No amount of hanging-onto an item can bring your money back. Whether you keep it or not, the money is gone. Forever. Cut your losses and move on. If you look at something and feel guilty about what you paid for it, yet you’re not using it, the guilt won’t entice you to use the item. You’ll continue to not use the item and continue to feel guilty about it. Why linger in the yuckiness? Let it go.

Obstacle 3: I could make good money selling this.

The “garage sale syndrome” sets in when you have decided to let go of some things and yet they continue to linger in your presence, waiting for the big garage sale. It’s true, garage sales can be a way to turn some of your no longer needed items into cash. But not without a cost. If letting go of things is difficult for you, a garage sale simply extends the process. Instead, find a charity you’ll feel good about donating your items to. Schedule a pick-up for the day after your letting-go session. Or check out www.freecycle.org. In no time, you’ll have treasure hunters lining up to relieve you of your things!

Obstacle 4: This was a gift.

Strategy: Take the fact that the item was a gift out of the equation.

When you come across a gift, ask yourself “Do I need, use or love the item?” It the answer is no, you aren’t obligated to keep the item. A gift doesn’t come with strings attached. I know this one can be hard to swallow… but it’s true.

There are ways you can honor the memory of the gift, without actually holding onto the actual item. For example, if you’re a scrapbooker, you could take a photo of the gift and create a mini scrapbook or scrapbook page called “gifts of love.” Record who gave you the gift and for what occasion, and then, why that person is special to you. This will allow you to focus on the person who gave you the gift, and their meaning to you, instead of feeling tied to the gift itself.

Create results quickly.

If you’re faced with a mound of things to go through, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Look for ways to create visual results quickly. For the things on your list that are easy to let go of, go on a scavenger hunt and collect a box or two full of “don’t-need-it” items and start lightening your load right away. As you go through the process, take note of the positive feelings that come up for you. Add this to your handy-dandy worksheet … and let those positive results fuel more positive results.

Keep building on your successes.

Energized by your quick and easy results, keep moving in the direction of your goals. Set aside thirty minutes a day for tackling a corner, drawer or shelf. Or block out a couple of hours each Saturday to go through a small space in your home. Little by little you’ll lighten your load and create peace, calm and beauty in your home and life!

For a more in-depth discussion on organizing obstacles and how to get around them, join my online class The FUNdamentals of Getting Organized. You’ll get a complete system for organizing your entire home using simple, yet effective, organizing principles. Better yet, you’ll get access to the simplify 101 community forum where you can share your progress and get the support you need—ensuring your success!

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/letting-go-of-clutter/feed/21How to Get Better at Anythinghttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/get-better-anything/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/get-better-anything/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 18:22:41 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36856Have you ever avoided doing something because you didn’t think you were very good at it? I have. In fact, I find myself doing this quite frequently. I find that the things I enjoy doing most […]

]]>Have you ever avoided doing something because you didn’t think you were very good at it? I have. In fact, I find myself doing this quite frequently. I find that the things I enjoy doing most are the things I believe I do well, or well enough to establish some sort of comfort level. So these are the things I’m drawn to—those things I already do well. But, wow—this is such a formula for staying stuck, still and stagnant!

It dawned on me this weekend that you can’t get better at anything without doing it! But you can get better by simply trying and doing it!Practice makes progress, as I like to say, and this applies whether you to want to become a better photographer, decorator, runner, organizer or you name it!

Take action! If you aren’t happy about the path you’re on right now, chart a new direction. What do you want to get better at this month? Pick just one thing today and then go out there and do it!

What are you going to start doing? Please share in the comments below.

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/get-better-anything/feed/13February Get Organized Checklisthttp://www.simplify101.com/free-printables/february-checklist/
http://www.simplify101.com/free-printables/february-checklist/#commentsTue, 03 Feb 2015 18:25:05 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=3970Let’s keep our January “get organized” momentum going right into the month of February, shall we? Your February Get Organized Checklist will help you do just that!

]]>If your resolve to get organized has started to fade, today’s post will help you get back on track. That’s right, your February Get Organized Checklist is here and it’s loaded with simple organizing projects that will take the guess work out of getting organized.

February Get Organized Checklist

Set your goals for the upcoming month. The most organized months begin with a plan! Take a few minutes today to think about what you’d like to accomplish in the month ahead. Remember, goals and resolutions don’t have to be reserved for January alone. So if you set some goals back at the start of the year but find yourself not so motivated anymore, today is a great day to get back on the bandwagon! Try bite sizing one of your goals into something that is inspiring but doable in the month ahead. For example, if you set a goal to organize your entire home by June 1st, pick one room to focus on and finish during the month of February.

Get organized for tax time. If you haven’t done so yet, carve out a designated spot for tax documents that are arriving in the mail. This will save you time as you pull together your documents for your tax preparer, or complete your own taxes.

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/free-printables/february-checklist/feed/0When Getting Organized, Avoid Thishttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/getting-organized-avoid/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/getting-organized-avoid/#commentsThu, 29 Jan 2015 18:45:29 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36791As you might know, I’m a runner. It’s a great sport because you can do it just about anywhere and it requires very little equipment. Yet, the right equipment can make all the difference in the […]

]]>As you might know, I’m a runner. It’s a great sport because you can do it just about anywhere and it requires very little equipment. Yet, the right equipment can make all the difference in the world. Especially when it comes to shoes. Unfortunately though, running shoe manufacturers fall into a trap a lot of us fall into, especially when getting organized. I call this trap change for the sake of change.

Here’s what I mean. Every year or so, running shoe manufacturers get the itch to change things up. They take a perfectly good running shoe, one that runners like me have been using trouble-free for years, and they change it. Why? From my vantage point it feels like they’re changing it for the sake of it—not to solve any particular problem I’ve been having. The trouble is, in the case of running shoes and misguided organizing projects, these changes can create new problems that weren’t there before. If you’ve ever gotten the itch to organize something only to find yourself in the middle or end of it feeling like you hadn’t made things any better…then you know what I’m talking about.

So how do you avoid falling into this trap when it comes to organizing? Follow these steps before starting your next project.

1) Identify what isn’t working.

If you have the itch to organize a particular area in your home, start by brainstorming the real problem. What isn’t working? What specific problem do you want to fix? For example, if you want to organize your kitchen, make a list of the areas that bother you. Does the counter look cluttered? Is it cumbersome to unload the dishwasher? Does food go bad in the back of the pantry or refrigerator? Make a simple list and then move onto step 2.

2) Identify what is working.

One of the true costs of organizing for the sake of it is that you can break something that was working before you started. So in addition to your list of things to fix, make a list of things that are working well in the space you’re about to organize, so you don’t introduce new problems. (By the way, the running shoe manufacturers I know miss this step. At least no one has ever asked me if my shoes work well before running off to redesign them.)

3) Brainstorm solutions.

With your list of what’s working and what isn’t working in mind, brainstorm solutions. Browse the simplify 101 website, Pinterest, or home magazines in search of solutions to your specific organizing dilemmas.

4) Select and implement.

Make sure you give your brainstorming and researching phase a clear cut deadline. It is fun to brainstorm, research and dream…but once you have a handful of ideas that will solve your specific problem without unraveling what’s working, pick one and put it into action.

So that, my friends is how you avoid change for the sake of it when it comes to organizing. If you know how to solve the running shoe dilemma…let me know. I’m all ears.

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/getting-organized-avoid/feed/2Organizing Projects: DIY or Buy?http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/organizing-projects-diy-buy/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/organizing-projects-diy-buy/#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 21:13:31 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36778I really like my spaces to be neat and organized. I also really dislike spending money. Most of the time, these two personality traits don’t conflict. In fact, they often work together. When I need an […]

I really like my spaces to be neat and organized. I also really dislike spending money.

Most of the time, these two personality traits don’t conflict. In fact, they often work together. When I need an organizing or storage solution, I usually “shop” at home. For instance, my drawer dividers are old stationery and other boxes. I have a collection of bins and baskets that my family rotates through, and I always turn to them first when a new storage need arises.

But of course there are times I can’t use what’s on hand. So I either need to create the organizing system I need, or commit to real, spend-my-own-money shopping. I need to choose: DIY or buy.

I love to read blogs, and I often see clever and creative solutions that people build themselves. But these people own tools I don’t have. More important, they have skills I don’t have. And I think a lot of them actually enjoy building things. I am not a handy person, and I don’t aspire to be. So unless a project is as simple as drilling a few holes and turning a few screws, it’s unlikely that I’ll do it myself.

So that leaves buying. Frugality is a virtue, and I’m glad that I don’t generally throw money around. But I also know that my reluctance to spend money can get in my way when I’m trying to get organized. I’ve balked at the price of organizing products because they seem too expensive for what they are. (“It’s just plastic! Why does it cost that much?) More expensive items, as you’d imagine, can be even harder for me.

But as time passes, it’s become easier for me to spend money on organizing supplies. I’ve shifted my focus away from the cost of the items I’m considering and towards their value to me. So now, if I can save the trouble of a DIY project I wouldn’t enjoy, I find it easier to go ahead and spend some money. Or if a little plastic item makes my life easier, I consider it worth the expense. (Within reason, of course. )

This summer I was reminded again of my reluctance to DIY. My son had become more interested in sports, so I needed more storage for balls in my garage. I searched Pinterest and found a really clever solution that used bungee cords and some wood strips. It wasn’t complicated, and I knew I could do it.

But I never did. I just never worked up the motivation to buy or measure the wood or figure out what size bungee cords I needed. Eventually I bought a storage bag that I was able to quickly drill into the wall—no assembly required. The bag was overpriced. It holds less stuff than the DIY one I’d initially planned on. But it’s up and the balls have a home. That made it totally worth it to me.

Another example: A while ago I was looking for a magnetic knife strip. I needed an unusual size to fit on the side of a cabinet in my kitchen. When I finally located one online, I hesitated. I thought it was overpriced, and the shipping cost was high. But eventually I went ahead and ordered it. That knife strip got an ugly knife block off my counter, increased my work space, and made my kitchen feel less cluttered. Looking back, I think it was worth ten times what I paid!

This is a personal issue, of course, and everyone’s budget varies. But in my own case, I’ve realized that I usually benefit when I give myself permission to buy things to make my home run more efficiently.

When it comes to organizing, do you prefer to DIY or buy? Please share in the comments below.

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/organizing-projects-diy-buy/feed/6Shop With This or Without Thathttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/declutter/shop-with-a-list/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/declutter/shop-with-a-list/#commentsThu, 22 Jan 2015 16:44:33 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36756Maybe this has happened to you before. You’re on your way home and you realize you need to stop at the store to pick up a handful of things — a missing ingredient for dinner, laundry […]

]]>Maybe this has happened to you before. You’re on your way home and you realize you need to stop at the store to pick up a handful of things — a missing ingredient for dinner, laundry detergent, or a piece of poster board for your child’s project that’s due…tomorrow. As a professional organizer I have one thing to say: clutter alert! These unplanned, last-minute trips to the store can lead to clutter as unneeded (but oh-so desirable) items that somehow find their way into your shopping cart.

Consider this: the majority of the clutter in our homes gets there via the checkout aisle at one store or another. So if you struggle with letting go of your belongings, it’s important to arm yourself with strategies to shop intentionally, keeping tomorrow’s clutter out of your home altogether. Here’s how:

Shop with a list or without a cart.

A shopping list is my go-to strategy for keeping clutter out of your home. Whether you’re shopping for groceries, personal care items, household goods, or clothing, making a list ahead of time boosts your chances of arriving home with only items you need, instead of eventual clutter.

But what about those last minute “I just need three things (and I can remember them all in my head)” kind of shopping trips? That’s when you shop without a cart. It’s true, shopping without a cart is inconvenient, which is exactly why this is a terrific clutter prevention strategy. When you’re lugging around a heavy, family-size can of peas, or a hefty jug of laundry detergent, or an awkward piece of poster board…you’ll be less likely to browse aimlessly, see things you don’t really need, and arrive home with clutter.

It works for me. What works for you when it comes to preventing clutter? I’d love to hear. Please share in the comments below.

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/declutter/shop-with-a-list/feed/9Finding Your Point of Focus in the New Yearhttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/finding-your-focus-in-the-new-year/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/finding-your-focus-in-the-new-year/#commentsTue, 20 Jan 2015 18:25:25 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36735As you may know, one of the ways I like to welcome in the New Year is by selecting a word of the year. Inspired by Ali Edwards, I started taking part in this tradition back […]

]]>As you may know, one of the ways I like to welcome in the New Year is by selecting a word of the year. Inspired by Ali Edwards, I started taking part in this tradition back in 2008. On New Year’s Day, I decided I’d like to rekindle the tradition and pick a word — and theme — for 2015.

I had time to ponder my selection on my New Year’s morning “Resolution Run” which was sponsored by my favorite local running store. My running buddies had more fuel left in their tank on New Year’s morning than I did, which gave me some quality time to run alone…and ponder my word.

I decided that I want 2015 to be a year about making things better. And while better is a fine word, I wanted my word for 2015 to be a verb, a word that would inspire me to take action and bring my word to life. And so, after a few thesaurus.com searches, I found my word: improve.

While it may not be a glamorous word, I’m really excited about it. I’m excited to make improvement my focal point for 2015. There are so many things I want to improve — my relationships, my home, my professional life/ skills, my health, and, not surprisingly given the impetus for this word, my running! I want to be a faster, better, and stronger runner.

I wanted to share my word with you for two reasons. First, since this word will be a theme for the year ahead, chances are pretty good it will come up in, and possibly even inspire, future blog posts. Second, I’d love to hear if you select a yearly word or theme. If so, please tell me about it in the comments. Can’t wait to hear from you!

]]>http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/finding-your-focus-in-the-new-year/feed/6One-Year Organizing Plan + Free Printablehttp://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/one-year-organizing-plan/
http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-tips/get-organized/one-year-organizing-plan/#commentsFri, 16 Jan 2015 16:54:27 +0000http://www.simplify101.com/?p=36693I recently blogged about how to achieve goals by breaking them into small chunks and tackling them a little bit over the course of time. This is the approach I’ve used the past two years to […]

I recently blogged about how to achieve goals by breaking them into small chunks and tackling them a little bit over the course of time. This is the approach I’ve used the past two years to accomplish my running goals, but as I talked about in the first post, it’s also very applicable to getting organized.

If you’re faced with a cluttered home and the thought of getting it organized feels daunting, here’s how to put this approach into action. Best yet, you can use my brand new organizing printable to make it happen. Here are few tips to make it manageable:

Give yourself a year.

That’s right. Give yourself permission to make a little bit of progress each week for the next year. I know that may sound like a long time, but if you’ve been wanting to get organized, or trying to get organized for longer than a year, then it really isn’t out of the question. By giving yourself a nice, big chunk of time to work on your goal, you instantly alleviate doubt, stress and pressure. Your goal instantly feels more achievable.

Make a project list.

On the printable, you’ll find a page called “rooms, zones + projects.” Simply use this to jot down the rooms in your home. Then, for bigger rooms, break them down into smaller zones or projects. For example, your home office could be broken down into file cabinet, storage closet, desk, and book case. Mentally (or better yet, physically) walk through your home and create a list. Don’t worry about if it is perfectly complete, just capture what you see and what you know for sure.

Divide by 52.

Once your list is complete, count up your total number of zones and divide by 52. When I did this, I had 25 zones. When divided by 52, this means I can work on 1 zone for 2 weeks.

Plot it out or record your progress.

You can use your one year organizing plan document to decide which zone you will work on when. Or you can let your mood be your guide. Work from the rooms, zones + projects list, and then record your progress on the one year organizing plan document.

Decide when you will organize.

One of the keys to hitting my running goal is that each week I plan out when I will run. I block out time on my calendar and then I do it. (Whether I feel like it or not.) I know that if I don’t run at that time, then I won’t hit my goal. So I run, and when I’m done, I’m always glad I did it. Try this with organizing. Don’t wait for the motivation to strike. Instead, decide when, do it anyway, and then, take note of how motivated (and proud) you feel.